Earth sampler



June 19, 1928.

A. J. MASON, JR

EARTH SAMPLER Filed June 4, -1925 Patented June 19, 15928.

.ARTHUR J'. MASON, JR., 0F TAFT, CALIFORNIA.

man; SAMPLER.

Application' led June 4, 1925. Serial No. 34,757.

This invention relates to apparatus for securing samples of material formin the Walls of a. tubular hole manually made 1n the earth as by drilling for oil, minerals, and

5 the like. i

In drilling operations of this character, especially by the rotary method, the true nature of the formations traversed is diilicult to ascertain. The material delivered l above ground by ordinary drilling operations doesnt show with suiiicient accuracy the character of the earth at the point being drilled, and it is therefore necessary to independently secure specially cut samples.

This is particularly true where the drilling is through unconsolidated strata.,

. In. rotary drilling, a cumbersome practice of removing the drilling bit .and substitutin a core barrel,-operating like a diamond drill, has grown up. This' is a slow and .costly process because it entails considerable loss of time and the rotating action ofthe core barrel in vsoft formations twists and distorts the core and occasionally burns it beyond recognition. The process of coring with a steel *core-barrel at the bottom of a hole has been borrowed fromv the diamond drill process of metal exploration and is unsuitable for4` the soft formations which often comprise oil-bearing strata.

lnA all previous methods,- one sample only pan be obtained and that must be obtained at the bottom of the well: if it is lost in the hole, the loss is irrecoverable. A

Thepobject of this invention is to provide a device/i capable of cutting one or more samples of wall material from the side of a perforation in the earth of any desired, predetermined length, depth Vor width, and at 40 any predetermined point alongthe depth of such perforation. The invention consists 1n i mechanism capable of attaining the foregoing and other objects; which can vbe easily and cheaply made; which is satisfactory in use and is not readily liable to get out Vof order.

The invention further consists in numerous features and details of construction which will be hereafter more fully set forth in the specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals representthe same parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a side view of the tool of this invention as it appears while descending a perforation in the earth and before the tool reaches the point where a sample of earth material is yto betaken from the side wall of said perforation.

Figure 2 is a sectional viewcf the tool in the act of procuring .the desired sample.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of. the tool, taken diagonally from the'left and front of Figgres 1 and 2.

4fgure 4 is a sectional, detail bottom view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure2.

Broadly stated, this invention consists in a receptacle, insertable in an earth perforat1on, equipped with means operable at a particular point in' the lengthof the perforat-ion for cutting earth material from the side wall o'f the perforation, and conducting said material inside said receptacle, whichwith'the material therein-may then be re- -movedi from the perforation after which the earthmaterial may be taken out of the receptacle and examined.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a specific embodiment of this invention is Yshown operating in a perforation V26 in a body of earth 28, the drawings showing, in the particular case here illustrated, the bottom 30 of the perforation.

The mechanism consists in its simplest form shown in the drawings in a hollowpreferably metallic-tube 32, supported at its upper end on a power actuated rod 34 driven by hammer action toward the end 30 of the perforation 26, in theparticular case shown, inv a downwardly direction. The lower end portion, specifically, approximately the lower quarter of the tube, is bent laterally toene side of the central axis of the tube so` that a U-shaped cutting mouth 36 is formed, adapted to be driven into an adjacent side wall o f perforation 26 inthe earth 28 to sever from said side wall a sample earth portion 38 which is by the downward driving action of the tool forced up into the interior of vthe tube 32. The mouth device 36 is prevented from cutting too deeply into o the side wall-of the earth perforation 26 by a traveling guidefl() on the extre-me lower end of the device, traveling ahead of it and engagingl the wall of the vearth erforation. When t e tubular device described is, by the specific mechanism of this invention or otherwise, held against the left hand wall of `vperforation 26, as shown in Figure 2, While the entire tube 32 is driven downward the entire length of the a length equal to tube, the tube becomes filled with an earth lll the perforation 26 to the upper earth sui'-,

face. If at any time mechanical means are required for retaining the core in the tube,

a multiplicity of conventional latches or spring catches (Fig. 2) may be installed in the tube, allowing the material to pass freely up the tube but preventing its downward movement. vlVhen the receptacle, viz.: tube 32, reaches this point, the earth sample 38 therein canv be removed by any suitable means without departing from this invention.

In the specitie case here illustrated, the sampling mechanism of this invention is forced against the wall of the earth perforation 26 by a spring 44 attached to the tube 32 on the side. opposite to the cutting mouth 36. This spring is sufficiently strong so that under normal conditions, it engages Ythe wall of earth perforation 2G, opposite to that en Igaged by cutting mouth 3G, with sullicient force to cause said mouth to cut into the earth as described. The spring 44 is, however, retractible and is so retracted to the position shown in Figure l by means of the cord or chain 46 sliding over a post or pulley 48 at the lower end of the machine and controlled by a weight 50. In the descent of the tube mechanism of this invention down earth perforation 26, the weight 50 holds spring 44 in retracted position of Figure l under which condition the entire Imechanism slips down the perforation 2G without cutting mout-h 34 coming in contact with the wall of the perforation. Premature cutting by the mouth 36 may also be prevented by conventionally wrapping it with soft rope or the like which will be quickly worn away as soon as the tool starts to operate as herein described. lVhen, however, the weight 50 reaches the bottom 30 of the perforation, its control of spring 44 ceases and the spring moves from the position of Figure 1 to that of Figure 2. thus forcing cutting mouth 36 into engagement with the wall of the earth perforation 26 and holding it. there during further descent of the tool. The flexible sustaining member 46 should be made long enough so that this release of the spring 44 takes place at a. distance suflicientiy above the bottom 30 of the perforation so that the tube 32 may be completely loaded with sample earth 38 before the tool itself reaches either weight 50 or the bottom 30 of the perforation. Owing to the fact that flexible member 46 normally travels in a Wet, sticky walled hole, collapsing, as shown in Figure 2, is best attained by making it a metal chain in whole or in part. Good results have been atttained by making the top foot out of one quarter inch wire and the remainder out of one half inch chain.

In actual commercial practical operation, the tube 32 has been made rectangular, as shown, with members 52, 54, 56 and 58 dctachably secured in assembled form by removable countersunk bolts (i0 and (i2 o conventional construction. ln the commercial device referred to, the member has been made of material 3A by l and 4 long. The member 54 was 2 thick. whilel theI side members 56 and 5S have been made of material 1A thick. In guide 40, all V4 steel has proved satisfactory in operation.

Broadly stated, the mechanism of thif` invention is not limited as to direction of operation. lt can be reversed and pulled upward instead of pushed downward without departingr from the inrcntion; neither is it limited to the .specific means for releasing the spring 44.

The cross sectional .shape of thc earth carrying tubi` and the specific location of the cutting mechanism are imniflcrial to the broad principle of the invention which is. broadly stated, any apparatus which will cut a slice out of the side of a hole in the earth.

The mouth 3G and the tube 32 are preferably, but not necessarily. made of substantially continuous and of uniform cross section so that the sample strip 38 cut from the earth wall will slide smoothly into and finally occupy the entire tube 32 withoutI breaking up or mixingr up of they material of the sample thus allowing the operator on removing bolts and a plate, as 54. after the device reaches the earth surfacc. to sce the sample in the exact condition in which it was before being cut froln the earth wall.

One method of driving the sampler downward. heretofore used. has been by inserting conventional jars just above connection 3i and operating them by a wire cable leading to the earth surface, not shown.

The spring mechanism can be tripped without the use of the weight touching thc bottom of the perforation by the use of tripping mechanism commonly used in ordinary oil wel] tools, such as casing perforators and tube catches: but thc diflicuity with such mechanism is that the tube must he dragged out of the hole with the spring extended. The mechanism shown in the drawings is therefore preferred.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including cutting means. means carried by the device operable to force said cutting,r

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means into cutting engagement with a side wall of a cavity whereby subsequent movement of the device will eut a sample of earth material from said side wall, and means4 embodied in the device receiving and retaining' said sample for removal from the cavity with said device.

`2. An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including cutting means, and spring means carried by the device operable to force said cutting means into'cutting engagement with a side wall of a cavity whereby subsequent movement of the device will eut a sample of earth material from said side wall.

3. An earth Sampling device movable into and out ofa cavity in the earth; said. device including cutting means on one side only, and means operable, when the devicer reaches a predetermined point in its movement into a cavity, to force said cutting means into cutting engagement with aside wall of the cavity, whereby subsequent movement of the device will cut a sample of earth material from said side wall.

4. An earth sampling device movableJinto and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including cutting means, 'and means carried by -the device operable, when the device reaches a predetermined point in its movement into a cavity, to force said .cutting means into cutting engagement with a side wall of the cavity, whereby subsequent movement of the device will cut a sample of earth material from said side wall.

5. An earth sampling Adevice movabley into and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including cutting means on one side\ only, and7 means automatically operable, when the device reaches a predetermined point in its movement into a cavity, to force said cutting means into cutting engagement witha side wall of the cavity, whereby subsequent movement of the device will eut a sample of earth material from said side wall.

6. An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including cutting means, and automatic means carried by the device operable, when the` said device reaches a predetermined vpoint in its movement into a cavity, to foi-ce said cutting means into cutting' engagement with a side wall of the cavity, whereby subsequent movement of the device will cut a sample of earth material from said side wall.

7 An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including a` cutting element, normally restrained means o erable upon release;- when the device is within a cavity, to force said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side wall of the cavity whereby sub-` sequent movement of the device will c'ut a lsample of earth from said side' wall, and

means for releasing said normally restrained means.

8. An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth.; said device including a cutting element, normally restrained means carried by the device operable upon release, when the device is within a cavity, to force said cutting element into cutting engagement .with a side wall of the cavity whereby subsequent movement of the device will cut a sample of earth from said side wall, and means for releasing said normally restrained means.

9. An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said fdevice including a cutting element, normally restrained means operable upon release, when the device is within a cavity to force said cutting element into cutting, engagement with a side wall of the cavity whereby sub-p sequent movementof the device will cut a sample of earth from said side wall, and automatic means for releasing said normally restrained means.

10. An earth samplingI device movable into and out of a cavity in theearth; said 4 device including a cutting element, norn mally restrained means operable upon re-,

lease, when the device is within a cavity, to force said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side wall of theI cavity -Whereby subsequent movement of the device will cut a sample of earth from said side wall, and means carried by the device ."for releasing said normally restrained means.

11. An earth 4sampling device movable into and out-of a cavity in the earth; said device includinga cutting element, normally restrained means operable upon release, when the device is within a cavity, to force said cutting' element `into cutting engagement with a side wall of the cavity whereby subsequent movement of, the device will cut alsample of earth from said side wall, and automatic means carried by the device fior releasing vsaid normally restrained means.

121 An' earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity`in the earth; said device including a cutting element, normally restrained means for forcing said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side wall of a cavity in which the device is disthe device into a cavityerable upon predetermined movement of the device into a cavity to release said normally restrained means and upon a predetermined movement of the device out of the cavity to restore said last named means to normal condition.

14. An earth sampling device movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said device including a cutting element, normally restrained means carried by the device `lor forcing said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side Wall of a cavity in Which the device is disposed, and means carried by the device operable upon predetermined movement oi the device into a cavity to release said normally restrained means and upon predetermined movement of the device out of the cavity to restore said last named means to normal condition.

1I. An earth sampler movable into and out ot a cavity in the earth; said sampler including a cutting element, a device for forcing said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side wall of a cavity in which the sampler is disposed, and means normally restraining -said device against operation, said means being operable by engagement with a fixed element Within the cavity to release said device for operation.

16. An earth sampler movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said sampler including a cutting element, a device for forcing said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side Wall of a. cavity in which the sampler is disposed, and means normally restraining said device against operation, said means being operable by engagement with the base of the cavity to release. said device for operation.

17. An earth sampler movable into and out ot a cavity in the earth; said sampler including a cutting element, a device for foi-c*- ing said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side Wall of a cavity 1n which the sampler is disposed, and Weight means normally restraining said device against operation, said means being operable by engagement with a fixed element Within the cavity to release said device for operation.

18. An earth sampler movable into and out of a cavity in the earth; said sampler including a cutting element, a device for foreing said cutting element into cutting engagement with a side wall of a cavity 1n which the sampler is disposed', and Weight means normally restraining said device against operation, said means being operable by engagement with the base of the cavity to release said device for operation.

19. In mechanism of the class described, an earth retaining receptacle normally slidable in an earth perforation Without contacting its side Walls, an intake mouth for the receptacle, provided with a cutting edge, capable of movement into engagement with a side wall of the earth perforation, means causing such engagement of the mouth with the adJacent wall, means forcing the receptacle along the earth perforation Wall to. cause earth cut from the wall to pass into' the receptacle, and a guide shoe (40) ahead of the receptacle preventing the cutting edge of the mouth entering the earth wall beyond aI predetermined depth.

20. In mechanism of the. class described, an earth retaining receptacle normally slidable in an earth perforation without contacting its side walls, an intake mouth for the receptacle, provided with a cutting edge, capable ot' movement into engagement with a side wall of the earth perforation, means set in operation by engagement with a fixed object in the earth perforation, causin,f r such engagement of the mouth with the adjacent wall, meanstorcing the receptacle along the earth perforation Wall to cause earth cut from the Wall to pass into the receptacle, and a guide shoe (40) ahead of the receptacle preventing the cutting edge of the mouth entering the earth Wall beyond a predetermined depth.r

2l. In mechanism of the class described, an earth retaining receptacle normally slidable in an earth perforation without contacting its side walls, an intake mouth for the receptacle, provided with a cutting edge, capable of movement into engagement with a side wall of the earth perforation, means set in operation by enga ement with the bottoml of the earth per oration, causing such engagement of the mouth with the adjacent wall, means forcing the receptacle along the earth perforation Wall to cause earth cut from the Wall to passinto the receptacle, and a guide shoe (40) ahead of the receptacle preventing the cutting edge of the mouth entering the earth wall beyond a predetermined depth.

22. In mechanism of the class described, a sampler for traversing an earth perforation and having a cutting mouth, and a normally restrained spring carried by the sampler releasable under predetermined con ditions for movement into engagement with the side wall of the perforation at one point to thereby -torce said cutting mouth into engagement with said side wall at another point.

23. In mechanism of the class described, a. sampler tor traversing an earth perforation having a cutting mouth engageahle with a side wall of the perforation` a spring carried by the sampler engageable with an opposite wall of the earth perforation, and

.means releasable at a predetermined point normally retracting said spring.

24. In mechanism of the class described, a sampler for traversing an earth perforation having a cutting mouth engageable with a side wall of the perforation, a spring IUT) ,carried by the sampler engageable with an opposite wall of the earth perforation, and a flexibly suspended Weight normally retractingsaid spring.

25. In mechanism of the class described, a`\sampler for traversing an earth perforation having an open bottom laterally pointed mouth engageable With a side Wall of the perforation, a flat spring (44) attached to the sampler at some distance-'from said mouth, normally engageable with an op 0- site wall of the earth perforation, a pul ey large to, when sustained by the flexible mem ber, retract the spring, for the lpurposes set forth.

,In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ARTHUR J. MASON, JR. 

